Care Homes: Human Rights

Peter Bottomley: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will bring forward measures to extend the protections of the Human Rights Act 1998 to residents of care homes who are  (a) publicly and  (b) privately or self-funded.

Vera Baird: Under the Human Rights Act 1998 it is unlawful for a public authority to act incompatibly with the Convention rights. For these purposes a "public authority" includes any person or body who is exercising functions of a public nature. Local authorities have a statutory duty to make arrangements for the provision of care and accommodation to those in need of it by reason of age, illness or disability. Individuals that are assessed to be in need of care may be placed in a care home run by the local authority itself, but many are placed in homes run by private providers. Those who are placed in care homes by local authorities (including homes that are privately run) can enforce their rights against the local authority because the authority is clearly a "public authority" for the purposes of the Human Rights Act.
	My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs, is planning to intervene in a case which will be heard by the House of Lords on 30 April 2007 to clarify whether a private care home provider is also a "public authority" for the purposes of the Human Rights Act when it provides accommodation and care to residents who have been placed there by a local authority. If that is found to be the case, then residents who are placed by local authorities in private care homes will be able directly to enforce their rights against a private care home provider.
	The Government have no plans to extend the coverage of the Human Rights Act to self-funded residents of care homes, since the Act does not apply to relationships which do not engage public functions.

Coroners

Norman Baker: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what public rights of access there are to written material used in the proceedings of coroners' inquests; and if she will make a statement.

Harriet Harman: All inquests are held in public unless the coroner considers that it would be in the interest of national security to exclude the public. The press often attend inquests and report details but there is no public right of access to written material used in inquests unless they are read out in court.

Legal Aid

Andrew Pelling: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what estimate she has made of the number of solicitors firms which were unable to complete the new unified contract for legal aid as of 1 April 2007.

Vera Baird: The Legal Services Commission (LSC) extended the deadline for signature to 2 April 2007. As of 3 April, approximately 2,390 of 2,532 unified contracts had been signed and returned to the LSC by civil providers. This represents 97 per cent. of not-for-profit organisations and 94 per cent. of solicitors. Overall, 5 per cent. of providers did not sign. There are also likely to be many more sub-contractors who are not required to sign the unified contract, but who provide legal aid services.
	That a small proportion of providers declined to sign is not unusual, as it is normal for there to be some degree of turnover when new contracts are introduced. The LSC will shortly be providing details of a new civil bid round as part of the Community Legal Service Strategy for improving access to joined up services.

Armed Forces: Detainees

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what resources were allocated by his Department to Conduct After Capture training in each of the last six years; and what personnel were allocated to providing this training over the same period, broken down by grade;
	(2)  he will make a statement on the Conduct After Capture training provided by the Armed Forces; and how many of those hostages recently released from Iranian custody received Conduct After Capture training;
	(3)  which parts of the Armed Forces receive Conduct After Capture training; and how many members of the Armed Forces received such training in each of the last six years.

Peter Viggers: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what  (a) instructions and  (b) training are given to armed forces personnel in preparation for the possibility that they may find themselves held against their will by a foreign power or hostile organisation.

Des Browne: holding answer 19 April 2007
	 UK military personnel receive different levels of training into Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Extraction (SERE) techniques depending on their mission. Personnel who are at greater risk of capture receive enhanced training. I am withholding details on the specific nature of the training because this would, or would likely, to prejudice the capacity, effectiveness and security of our armed forces.
	I announced on 16 April 2007,  Official Report, columns 23-26, that Lieutenant General Sir Rob Fulton Royal Marines will lead an inquiry into the recent incident in which Iran illegally detained 15 UK service personnel. This inquiry will examine SERE training alongside the other operational aspects of the incident. It would therefore be inappropriate for me to comment further until this inquiry is complete.

Departments: Official Engagements

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list each of his official engagements for 5 April to 9 April.

Des Browne: On 5 April, I was in office in the Ministry of Defence all morning and conducted a number of media interviews at lunchtime before returning to my constituency. I had no official engagements from Good Friday (6 April) until Easter Monday (9 April) but received regular updates on operational issues, as usual. I made a routine telephone call to the Australian Defence Minister on the evening of 9 April to discuss a range of operational issues. The only official engagement by my ministerial colleagues was one by the Under-Secretary of State and Minister for Veterans, Derek Twigg MP, who visited the Royal College of Defence Medicine at Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham on the afternoon of 5 April to visit service personnel.

Detainees: Iran

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  where the Iranian force that detained 15 UK sailors and marines came from; and what transport they used;
	(2)  when the 15 UK sailors and marines recently detained in Iran first saw the Iranian force coming to detain them;
	(3)  whether the 15 UK sailors and marines considered making a swift withdrawal in their boat when they saw the Iranian force approaching;
	(4)  how many Iranian troops detained the 15 UK sailors and marines in the recent incident.

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  which non-military personnel were on the Lynx helicopter which oversaw the boarding of the freighter in Iraqi waters on 23 March 2007; how many hours' flying were left on the Lynx helicopter as from 23 March to its next major service; and for what reason HMS Cornwall did not have a second Lynx helicopter;
	(2)  what arms were carried by each of the 15 service personnel prior to their capture by the Iranian authorities on 23 March 2007; and how much ammunition each member of personnel carried during their time on the freighter boarded in Iraqi waters;
	(3)  which vessels Commodore Lambert had under his command; and what the draught was for each vessel;
	(4)  whether boardings were carried out using  (a) a joint multinational force and  (b) the Royal Navy alone during Commodore Lambert's period of command;
	(5)  what choice of Command Post was available to Commodore Lambert;
	(6)  whether any order was given on 23 March 2007 from  (a) HMS Cornwall and  (b) any senior personnel for the boarding party to return to their boats from the freighter after the sighting of the Iranian speed-boats;
	(7)  how long it took from the first sighting of the two Iranian speed-boats on 23 March 2007 for those boats to be alongside the two British boats.

Des Browne: I refer the hon. Member to the statement I made on 16 April 2007,  Official Report, columns 23-26, in which I stated that there would be an inquiry, lead by Lieutenant General Sir Rob Fulton Royal Marines (Retd), into this incident. It would therefore be in appropriate for me to comment further until this inquiry is complete.

Policy Review

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what the  (a) value and  (b) purpose has been of each payment to external companies or organisations under the Government's policy review.

Hilary Armstrong: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Pendle (Mr. Prentice) on 8 March 2007,  Official Report, column 2198W.
	The results of the policy review process have been published in a series of papers under the title "Building on Progress", identifying long-term trends and new challenges and examining how existing policies need to be developed to continue to meet the country's priorities.

Fulford School

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what resources are paid by central government to the enhanced resource centre for Autism and Aspergers at Fulford School in the City of York; what assessment has been made of the results produced by this resource centre; and what plans there are to increase such resource centre provision at other schools in England.

Parmjit Dhanda: holding answer 23 April 2007
	No resources are paid by central Government to the enhanced resource centre at Fulford School. It is for local authorities (LAs) to organise and maintain their special educational needs (SEN) provision from the resources which are available to them and to keep their SEN arrangements under review.
	The Department has not made an assessment of the resource centre at Fulford School. Ofsted's last inspection of the school in December 2003, before the resource centre opened two years ago, noted that
	"specialist local authority staff provide high quality individual tuition for students with different needs, including autism and specific learning difficulties".
	Since the resource centre opened, City of York LA has conducted a review which found that the centre was making high quality provision which is greatly appreciated by parents.
	Decisions on opening resourced provision are taken locally. The Department's team of SEN advisers reported in October 2006 that
	"many [local authorities] reported on the development of specialist resourced provision within mainstream schools. Most new provision was designed to meet the needs of pupils with Autistic Spectrum Disorders or Behavioural, Emotional and Social Difficulties".
	The Ofsted report 'Inclusion: does it matter where pupils are taught? (2006)' stated that
	"there was little difference in the quality of provision and outcomes for pupils [with SEN] across primary, secondary and special schools. However, mainstream schools with additionally resourced provision were particularly successful in achieving high outcomes for pupils academically, socially and personally".
	Through guidance, the Government promote a range of provision, including resourced provision, for children with SEN in general and those with autistic spectrum disorders (ASDs) in particular. The ASDs 'Good Practice Guidance' (DfES/DH, 2002) advised local authorities to aim for "a spectrum of provision for the spectrum of need". The Department is currently considering responses to a consultation on draft guidance on 'Planning and Developing Special Educational Provision' which includes advice on developing a range of provision. The guidance will be published later this year.

Grandparents: Parental Responsibility

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps he has taken to co-ordinate government policy to support grandparents who act as parents to their grandchildren.

Parmjit Dhanda: holding answer 20 April 2007
	The Government published the Green Paper 'Care Matters' last autumn which contained a number of proposals and consultation questions related to the care of children by family and friends, including grandparents.
	The consultation responses were published on 17 April and it is clear that remaining with family rather than going into care is a very high priority for many children and young people who replied. Respondents also highlighted a range of ways in which support to family and friends carers could be provided. The policy issues have also been considered by the independent working group on future of the care population which was one of four working groups set up following the publication of 'Care Matters'. We shall be taking all these views into account in taking forward the planned 'Care Matters' White Paper.

Carbon Emissions

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when his Department began to measure its carbon emissions; what the volume of those emissions was in the last period for which figures are available; when his Department started to offset those emissions; what the cost is expected to be of offsetting his Department's emissions; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: The Department's most recent estimate of carbon dioxide emissions (CO2) from buildings and business travel is as follows:
	
		
			  Source  2005-06 (t) 
			 Buildings (1)46,009 
			 Business travel (2)9,155 
			 (1) This figure is for DEFRA and executive agencies. (2) Carbon dioxide emissions from road vehicles in DEFRA and executive agencies plus carbon dioxide emissions from DEFRA and CEFAS for air travel, taking account of radiative forcing, in line with the Government carbon offsetting fund. 
		
	
	Carbon dioxide emissions from buildings have been recorded since April 1999. DEFRA and executives agencies have recorded carbon dioxide emissions from vehicles since April 2002. DEFRA and Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) have recorded air travel from April 2005 and rail travel from April 2001.
	DEFRA and CEFAS offset air travel (from April 2005), DEFRA offset rail travel (from June 2006) and DEFRA will offset vehicle travel from June 2007. Carbon dioxide emissions from buildings are not offset, but DEFRA is committed to achieving carbon neutrality on its office estate by 2012.
	The cost of offsetting carbon dioxide emissions from business travel for 2005-06 is approximately £27,000. DEFRA is a participant in the Government carbon offsetting fund (GCOF) which offsets carbon dioxide emissions attributable to air travel and other sources across some 40 Departments and agencies. The GCOF will deliver between 255,000 and 305,000 certified emission reductions by April 2009.

Fisheries

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what consultations with  (a) the North Sea Fisheries Advisory Council and  (b) the Kent and Essex Sea Fisheries Committee he had on skates and rays before attending the December 2006 EU Council of Fisheries ministers.

Ben Bradshaw: holding answer 16 April 2007
	The North Sea Regional Advisory Council (RAC) was consulted directly by the European Commission on their proposals for the Total Allowable Catch (TAG) and quota arrangements for 2007 when they were released on 6 December. This included the proposal on the bycatch limit for skates and rays. I am not aware that the RAC raised any concerns about this provision at the time.
	Because of the late arrival of the proposals, it was not possible for my Department to consult all interested parties. A number of discussions took place with the National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations (NFFO) and the English producer organisations (POs)—who are represented on the Kent and Essex Sea Fisheries Committee—as well as their counterparts in other parts of the UK. On the basis of these discussions, we identified that the original Commission proposal for a 5 per cent. bycatch limit was too low and likely to lead to increased discarding. The Commission accepted this argument to some extent, and we succeeded in having the figure increased to 25 per cent. We also succeeded in reducing the scale of their proposed cut in the TAG to 20 per cent. (from 45 per cent.).

Burma: Politics and Government

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions she has had with the government of Burma on its treatment of political opponents.

Ian McCartney: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has had no bilateral discussions with the Burmese government.
	She remains deeply concerned about the treatment of the Burmese regime's political opponents. Over a thousand political opponents are held in prison and others are subject to harassment and exile for their political beliefs.
	As a result, I have on my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary's behalf:
	raised the treatment of political prisoners with the Burmese ambassador on 15 June 2006 and in my letter to the Burmese Foreign Minister of 5 July 2006;
	raised human rights abuses in Burma during a meeting of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) ambassadors in London last September, and with UN Under-Secretary General, Ibrahim Gambari, in November 2006; and
	also highlighted our concerns about the appalling treatment of political opponents in separate statements on 2 June 2006, concerning the harsh sentences given to Shan democracy leaders; 2 October 2006, concerning the arbitrary detention of six Burmese democracy activists; 19 October 2006, concerning the death in custody of Ko Thet Win Aung and 15 February concerning the deplorable decision to extend the house arrest of U Tin Oo, the Vice Chairman of the National League for Democracy.
	Most recently, I raised the human rights situation in Burma in my address to the Human Rights Council in Geneva on 13 March and at the EU/ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting in Nuremberg on 15 March, in the presence of the Burmese Deputy Foreign Minister.
	I will be again raising Burma when I attend the 8th Asia-Europe Foreign Ministers' Meeting, in Hungary on 28-29 May.

Iran: Territorial Waters

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the date was of each complaint made by the UK Government to international bodies against the Government of Iran for seizing United Kingdom service personnel in 2004; to which international body each was made; what the outcome was of each complaint; and if she will make a statement.

Ian McCartney: We raise the 2004 Iranian seizure of service personnel through our bilateral contacts with Iran, and along with Iraq. We have not raised the incident with any international bodies.

Iraq: Peace Keeping Operations

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made since October 2006 by the Joint Committee in transferring security responsibility in Iraq; and what discussions the Government has had with  (a) the United States and  (b) Iraqi counterparts on the withdrawal of British troops from Iraq.

Margaret Beckett: The Joint Committee to Transfer Security Responsibility (JCTSR) assesses the extent to which provinces meet the conditions required for transition to Provincial Iraqi Control, and based on this, recommends to the Iraqi Ministerial Council on National Security when provinces are ready. Since October 2006, the JCTSR has recommended that Najaf and Maysan provinces be transitioned.
	Decisions on UK force levels in Iraq are naturally the subject of regular consultation both with the Government of Iraq and with the United States and our other allies.

Iraq: Peace Keeping Operations

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recommendations the Joint Committee to transfer security responsibilities in Iraq has made on those provinces and provincial capitals ready for the transfer of security responsibilities; and if she will make a statement.

Margaret Beckett: The Joint Committee to Transfer Security Responsibility has so far recommended Muthanna, Dhi Qar, Najaf and Maysan for transition. All four provinces are now under lead Iraqi security control. As my right hon. Friend the Defence Secretary said on 18 April, the transfer of Maysan province to Provincial Iraqi Control is an important milestone. It demonstrates the progress being made by the Iraqi security forces, in co-operation with Coalition forces, as they continue to assume greater responsibility for their country's security.

Iraq: Politics and Government

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the impact of the departure of Muqtada Sadr's political group from the Iraqi parliament on the political situation in Iraq.

Ian McCartney: Muqtada Al-Sadr's group have not left the Iraqi parliament. Muqtada Al-Sadr recently called on Sadrist Ministers in the Iraqi Government to withdraw from their positions. Prime Minister Maliki has welcomed the move as an opportunity to appoint Ministers based on their ability rather than on a sectarian basis and has appointed interim Ministers to the Ministries concerned.

Sudan: Asylum

Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what monitoring her Department undertakes of the treatment of repatriated asylum seekers in Sudan; and what her latest assessment is of their treatment.

Ian McCartney: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) does not routinely monitor individual repatriated failed asylum seekers. It would generally be inappropriate and impractical for the UK to monitor individual citizens of another country once they return there.
	This should not be interpreted as disinterest. The FCO follows the human rights situation through our network of posts around the world, including in the countries to which we return failed asylum seekers. Information on the human rights situation is always taken fully into account as a factor in the formulation of Home Office policies on asylum, and hence in the decision whether it is safe to return an individual.
	Asylum and human rights claims by nationals of Sudan are, like those of claimants from all countries, considered on their individual merits in accordance with the UK's obligations under the 1951 UN Refugee Convention and the European Convention on Human Rights. Each application is considered against the background of the latest country information available from a wide range of reliable sources including international organisations, non-governmental organisations, the FCO and the media.
	The country information on Sudan is available to decision-makers in regularly updated country reports which are available on the Home Office website at:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/country_reports.html.

Sudan: Peace Keeping Operations

Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions her Department has had on the situation in Darfur with the Government of  (a) Chad,  (b) the Central African Republic and  (c) Uganda.

Ian McCartney: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is pressing all sides involved in the Darfur conflict to engage in a renewed political process and stop supporting each other's rebels.
	The UK Ambassador-at-Large for the Sudanese Peace Process raised these issues when he visited Chad on 20 February. Our High Commissioner in Yaounde (non-resident Ambassador to the Central African Republic) also discussed regional instability with the Government of the Central African Republic when he visited in January. Given the importance of this issue, we will continue to press both the Governments of Chad and Sudan on this matter. We regularly discuss the conflict with our partners in the Security Council and with regional governments such as Uganda.
	We are also urging the African Union and UN to make rapid progress on the political track, which they agreed to take forward at the Addis Ababa and Abuja summits last November.

Waiting Times

Andrew Robathan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the current maximum waiting times are for hip surgery in  (a) Leicestershire,  (b) Warwickshire and  (c) England.

Andy Burnham: The maximum wait for all in-patient/day case surgery, including hip operations, has fallen from 26 weeks to 20 weeks from 1 April 2007. By the end of 2008 patients requiring hip surgery will wait a maximum of 18 weeks from general practitioner referral to the start of treatment.
	Waiting time data are collected at a specialty level. The latest available data for trauma and orthopaedics, which includes hip surgery in Leicestershire, Warwickshire and England are shown in the table.
	
		
			  Commissioner based trauma and orthopaedics waiting time information at the end of February 2007 
			   Organisation name 
			   Leicestershire County and Rutland Primary Care Trust (PCT)  Leicester City Teaching PCT  Warwickshire PCT  All England 
			 Total number waiting 2,527 965 2,575 185,876 
			  
			  Number waiting: 
			 Over 20 weeks 297 112 257 16,768 
			 Over 26 weeks 11 0 0 347 
			  
			  Percentage waiting: 
			 Over 20 weeks 11.8 11.6 10.0 9.0 
			 Over 26 weeks 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.2 
			  Source:  Department of Health, Monthly Monitoring

Smoke-free Legislation

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made towards implementing the smoke-free legislation in England.

Caroline Flint: With all sets of smoke free regulations on the statute book, the Department's smoke-free England campaign is in full swing.
	Funding and training has been provided to local authorities. Guidance packs are now being sent to businesses across England and a free phone information line and website is operating.
	The Department will also run a public information advertising campaign in the lead-up to 1 July.

Chlamydia Infection: Screening

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of Chlamydia screening is being undertaken using nucleic acid amplification testing.

Caroline Flint: This information is not collected centrally.
	The Government have recognised that the need to switch to the superior nucleic acid amplification test for Chlamydia testing and screening should be treated as a priority. £7 million pump-priming money was invested in 2004-05 to ensure that all major laboratories in each region of England use the most effective technology.

Chlamydia Infection: Screening

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many Chlamydia tests have been undertaken in each region of England; and what percentage each figure represents of the target;
	(2)  how many people aged 16 to 24 have been screened for Chlamydia, and what percentage this figure represents of the target.

Caroline Flint: Information on the number of people screened in 2005-06 between the ages of 16-24 in the national Chlamydia screening programme (NCSP) is given in the table (this is the same figure as tests undertaken). The information covers 26 programme areas and represented 25 per cent. of the previous primary care trust configuration. We expect to have 85 programme areas when we see national coverage during this year.
	
		
			  Region  Mid 2005 ONS population  Screening volume year 3 (to March 2006) 
			 North East 352,300 4,373 
			 North West 923,600 19,789 
			 Yorkshire and Humber 701,300 13,333 
			 East Midlands 566,700 6,528 
			 West Midlands 712,200 9,557 
			 East of England 665,600 6,255 
			 London 1,014,000 17,360 
			 South East 1,012,800 19,877 
			 South West 621,700 6,341 
		
	
	In addition, data for the number of people diagnosed with Chlamydia in 2005 in genito-urinary clinics for each region were published in 'Diagnosis of selected STIs by region, sex and age group, United Kingdom: 1996—2005'. A copy is available in the Library. The document is also freely available at the following website:
	www.hpa.org.uk/infections/topics_az/hiv_and_sti/epidemiology/datatables2005.htm
	There was no national target covering the number of chlamydia screens in 2005-06.

Departments: Renewable Energy

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what strategy she has put in place for  (a) the use of renewable energy and  (b) meeting energy targets in her Department's buildings; and if she will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: The Department has been purchasing green electricity since 2001-02. Since 2004-05 100 per cent. of the electricity for our London administrative estate has been purchased from renewable sources. This is a substantially better performance than the Government target required, which was that 10 per cent. of electricity should be from renewable sources.
	We are committed to maximising our energy efficiency, and we have been working with the Carbon Trust and others to identify potential savings. We have recently been commended in the 2005-06 Sustainable Development in Government (SDiG) report (published 7 March 2007) for having reduced our absolute carbon emissions by 15.4 per cent. since 1999-2000. Along with other Government Departments, we are working towards the target that the whole Government estate should be carbon neutral by 2012.
	This information relates to the Department's main London estate. The Department also occupies a building in Leeds, where the major occupier is Department of Work and Pensions, and another building in London where the major occupier is HM Revenue and Customs. They are subject to the same Government-wide targets. Where we do not have direct control over utilities we nevertheless do whatever we can, such as by encouraging our staff to save energy, to reduce the overall C02 emissions from these buildings.

Diagnosis

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 20 February 2007,  Official Report, column 667W, whether phase two diagnostic schemes have now been finalised in strategic health authorities other than London and the West Midlands; and when she expects the first procedures to be undertaken by phase two diagnostic schemes.

Andy Burnham: Of the seven regional phase 2 diagnostics schemes, four schemes have reached financial close: London, West Midlands, North West and South West.
	The first diagnostic services commenced in London in April 2007, and the remaining schemes will follow on a phased basis through 2007.

Essex Rivers Healthcare NHS Trust: Pollution Control

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much Essex Rivers Healthcare Trust has spent on buying carbon dioxide permits under the EU Emissions Trading Scheme since the inception of the scheme.

Caroline Flint: Essex Rivers Healthcare National Health Service Trust does not fall within the provisions of the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme Regulations 2005 and as a result has no financial obligations arising from the scheme.

Health Services: Private Sector

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what meetings  (a) officials and  (b) ministers have had to discuss the outsourcing of primary care trust functions with (i) the private sector, (ii) the not for profit sector, (iii) Mr. Simon Stevens and (iv) Mr. Paul Corrigan;
	(2)  what meetings she had with staff from the commercial directorate on each day between 20 June 2006 and 10 July 2006; which staff she met; and what the subject was of each meeting.

Andy Burnham: Ministers regularly meet with officials to discuss policy and its delivery.
	The procurement team working within the Commercial Directorate of the Department has held meetings with bidders who wished to be considered for inclusion on the framework for procuring external support for commissioners. These have been in accordance with procurement law. The majority of meetings were with the private sector although the not for profit sector was represented in the bidder pool. Mr. Simon Stevens, of United Health Europe, attended meetings on 9 August 2006 and 1 November 2006. There were no meetings with Mr. Paul Corrigan.

Health: Investors in People

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made in incorporating a healthy business assessment in the Investors in People standard as proposed in her Department's White Paper "Choosing Health".

Caroline Flint: Following the publication of "Choosing Health", the Department commissioned Investors in People UK to develop a new framework dedicated to improving health and well-being in the workplace, firmly underpinned by evidence.
	A pilot of the latest version of the investors in people's health and well-being at work framework is now under way, with over 100 organisations undertaking live assessments against the standard.

Heart Disease and Stroke Services

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to her Department's report of 5 December on the clinical case for reconfiguration in the context of heart disease and stroke services 
	(1)  how many hospitals in each of the strategic health authorities will provide the highest level of emergency diagnostic and treatment services for heart attack and stroke patients; and what assessment she has made of the effect of the proposed reconfiguration of accident and emergency departments on the future resources of ambulance trusts;
	(2)  how many hospitals she expects to provide an  (a) 24 hour emergency angioplasty service,  (b) 24 hour thrombolysing service for patients with cerebral vascular embolism and  (c) 24 hour diagnostic scanning and other services to support these procedures;
	(3)  what would be the  (a) fewest locations it would be safe to provide and  (b) most accident and emergency departments her Department considers to be feasible with full 24 hour per day emergency diagnostic and treatment facilities for heart attack and stroke patients.

Rosie Winterton: The Department is currently in the middle of a study involving 11 hospitals (10 primary angioplasty centres) to test the feasibility of extending primary angioplasty as the treatment of choice for heart attack in England. The study is looking at different models of service and different geographies. An independent evaluation is assessing workforce implications, costs and the patient experience of primary angioplasty. It will be for local commissioners to decide on their service configuration taking into account the lessons from this study. An interim report on the study is due in 2007 with the final report due in early 2008.
	The Department has also commenced work on an 18-month programme to develop a national strategy for strokes. We will be examining different models of care for different geographical areas and it will be for local commissioners to decide upon.
	The reconfiguration of accident and emergency departments is for the national health services locally to decide upon, following full consultation with local people. We would expect the development of any proposals for reconfiguration to include an assessment of the impact on the health economy as a whole, including the impact on ambulance trusts.

Hospices: Finance

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to her Department's press release of 9 April 2007 entitled National Funding for Local Hospices, which bids for a share of £40 million were unsuccessful; and what the value of the bid was in each such case.

Ivan Lewis: The information is in the following table.
	
		
			  Hospices with rejected bid schemes 
			  Name of hospice/organisation  Name of rejected project title  Amount requested (£) 
			 Arthur Rank House Arthur Rank House—refurbishment of inpatient facilities 247,485 
			 Eden Valley Hospice Provision of gas central heating system 201,513 
			 Fair Havens Hospice Capital improvements to patient areas—Fair Havens Hospice 624,924 
			 Hospice in the Weald Project Title—extension of nurses station and physiotherapy room 55,000 
			 Hospice in the Weald Creation of a patient lounge/conservatory 12,000 
			 Hospice in the Weald Upgrading the viewing room and mortuary area 10,000 
			 Hospice in the Weald Upgrade and refurbishment of patients bathrooms 10,000 
			 Hospiscare—Exeter Home environment project (our second priority application) 49,867 
			 LORDS Leicestershire and Rutland Hospice Meadow walk 66,000 
			 LORDS Leicestershire and Rutland Hospice Sensory room 281,500 
			 Myton Hamlet Hospice Warwick Myton Mortuary development 141,000 
			 Myton Hamlet Hospice (a) Coventry Myton Hospice 2,400,000 
			 Myton Hamlet Hospice Hollies Day Hospice and garden redevelopment 101,500 
			 North West London Hospitals NHS Trust Hospices without walls' 24,147 
			 Peace Hospice The Peace Hospice Bid 2: Onwards and Upwards 353,945 
			 Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice Redesign and refurbishment of the reception and patient waiting area 136,559 
			 Rotherham Hospice Optimising space 25,000 
			 Royal Marsden Hospital Horder Ward extension and refurbishment 535,000 
			 Sam Beare Hospice Sam Beare Hospice capital grant project 357,850 
			 St. Ann's Hospice (Cheadle) Heald Green Bid 2 (priority bid 2) improvements to inpatient facilities and day care 165,777 
			 St. Ann's Hospice (Day Therapy) Little Hulton Bid 2 (priority bid 2 for this site) improvements to inpatient facilities and day care 87,312 
			 St. Elizabeth Hospice Nurse call system 17,890 
			 St. Helena Hospice Therapies room extension 153,335 
			 St. John's Hospice (London) Improving first impressions 400,000 
			 St. Joseph's Hospice Association Replacement of St. Joseph's Hospice, Ormskirk 1,670,000 
			 St. Luke's Hospice (Harrow) Development of a new multi purpose daycare extension at St. Luke's Hospice increasing patients' dignity and privacy 617,947 
			 St. Mary's Hospice (Selly Park) Refurbishment and redesign of Day Hospice area and entrance 273,355 
			 St. Mary's Hospice (Selly Park) Garden conservatory and garden refurbishment 98,438 
			 St. Oswald's Hospice Breathe Easy Project—installation of medical gas pipeline system 49,199 
			 St. Oswald's Hospice Reception refurbishment 89,742 
			 St. Peter and St. James Hospice St. Peter and St. James hospice improvement scheme, project 2 395,623 
			 Sue Ryder Care (Manorlands) Manorlands Cares 1,137,160 
			 Sue Ryder Care (Wheatfields) Dignity in care improvements, Wheatfields Hospice 892,385 
			 Sue Ryder Specialist Palliative Care Centre (Peterborough) Major expansion of Thorpe Hall Hospice 1,000,000 
			 The Margaret Centre Relocation and rebuilding of the Margaret Centre Specialist Palliative Care Unit 3,841,000 
			 Treetops Hospice Ripple Appeal 300,000 
			  Note: In September 2006, as part of the Dignity in Care Campaign, we announced that £50 million would be made available to enhance the physical environment for older people cared for in hospices. An application process was launched for £40 million, administered on behalf of the Department by Help the Hospices. At our request, Help the Hospices established an independent steering group comprising key figures from the hospice and palliative care movement, clinicians, architects and engineers. This group assessed each application against pre-defined criteria and provided advice to the Department on which applications should be supported. Of 227 bids, 191 schemes in 146 hospices were approved for funding. There were 36 unsuccessful bids and seven hospices without a single bid accepted.

Hospices: Finance

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on public funding for hospices.

Rosie Winterton: The level of funding a hospice receives is a matter for local negotiation between the local primary care trust (PCT), who are responsible for commissioning and funding palliative care services locally, and the hospice.
	The Government have delivered on its commitment to make an additional £50 million per annum available for specialist palliative care for adults. This money is now recurrent in PCT baseline allocations. Voluntary sector children's hospices are receiving funding of £27 million between 2006-07 and 2008-09. In addition, an independent review of the long-term sustainability of children's palliative care (including children's hospices) is being undertaken and its findings will be reported to Ministers shortly.

Kanamycin and Neomycin

Alan Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what medical uses are permitted of  (a) kanamycin and  (b) neomycin; and how much of each medicine was used in England in each of the last five years.

Caroline Flint: There are no licensed products containing Kanamycin in the United Kingdom and there are no records of kanamycin having been prescribed in the national health service in the last five years.
	Neomycin has a number of indications and is licensed both on its own and in combination with steroids and other anti-infectives as follows:
	 in combination with betamethasone (a steroid) for:
	the short-term treatment of steroid responsive inflammatory conditions of the eye when prophylactic antibiotic treatment is also required, after excluding the presence of viral and fungal disease;
	otitis externa or other steroid responsive conditions of the ear where prophylactic antibiotic treatment is also required;
	steroid-responsive inflammatory conditions of the nose where prophylactic antibiotic treatment is also required;
	for the treatment of the following conditions where secondary bacterial infection is present, suspected, or likely to occur:
	eczema in adults and children (aged 2 years and over), including
	atopic and discoid eczemas;
	prurigo nodularis;
	psoriasis (excluding widespread plaque psoriasis);
	neurodermatoses including lichen simplex and lichen planus;
	seborrhoeic dermatitis;
	contact sensitivity reactions;
	insect bite reactions;
	anal and genital intertrigo.
	 in combination with bacitracin (an anti-bacterial) for:
	superficial bacterial infection of the skin, such as impetigo, varicose ulcers, pressure sores, trophic ulcers and burns.
	 in combination with dexamethasone (a steroid) and polymyxin B (an anti-bacterial) for:
	the short-term treatment of steroid responsive conditions of the eye when prophylactic antibiotic treatment is also required, after excluding the presence of fungal and viral disease.
	 in combination with chlorhexidine gluconate as a nasal cream for:
	the eradication of nasal infection with, and carriage of, staphylococci.
	 with triamcinolone acetonide (a steroid), gramicidin and nystatin (anti-infectives) for:
	the treatment of corticosteroid sensitive dermatoses complicated by infections due to micro-organisms sensitive to the anti-infectives.
	 in tablet form for:
	pre-operative sterilisation of the bowel. It may also be useful in the treatment of impending hepatic coma, including portal systemic encephalopathy.
	Usage of neomycin in England is shown in the following table.
	
		
			   Prescription items dispensed in the community (Thousand)  Net ingredient cost for the community (£000)  Estimated cost of hospital prescriptions (£000) 
			 2001 364.6 565.7 359.8 
			 2002 347.1 539.3 376.5 
			 2003 363.9 566.3 375.4 
			 2004 348.1 562.5 400.0 
			 2005 361.7 611.7 327.9 
			  Source: Community: Prescription Cost Analysis (PCA) system Hospitals: IMS Health: Hospital Pharmacy Audit

Multiple Sclerosis: Charities

Peter Soulsby: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the effects of fees for annual inspections from the Health Care Commission on charitable not-for-profit multiple sclerosis therapy centres.

Andy Burnham: Annual fees to cover the cost of providing assessment and registration services are approved by the Secretary of State for Health, after consideration of proposals submitted by the Healthcare Commission. Assessment of the effects of fees is therefore for the Commission in the first instance.
	The Healthcare Commission consulted on its 2007-08 independent healthcare sector fee proposals between 20 December 2006 and 20 February 2007. I understand from the Chairman of the Commission that during the consultation period it received numerous representations from providers asking that fees should be reduced for hospices and voluntarily funded establishments using type 3 hyperbaric oxygen chambers.
	The Healthcare Commission revised its proposals after considering the comments it received. For 2007-08, annual fees for multiple sclerosis therapy centres have been reduced from £1,566 to £1,225, a reduction of 22 per cent. This is the first time that regulatory fees under the Care Standards Act 2000 have been reduced. Fees for first time registrations have increased from £907 to £990.

NHS Treatment Centres: Private Sector

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the Healthcare Commission expects to publish its interim report on the review of independent sector treatment centres.

Andy Burnham: holding answer 23 April 2007
	I understand the Healthcare Commission (HC) has decided not to publish an interim report on the quality of clinical care provided by the Independent Sector Treatment Centres (ISTCs) because of problems with the quality and coverage of the initial ISTC data. They took the view that publishing an interim report would present only a partial and confusing picture of the findings of the review. As a result of the improvement in the data quality and completeness of the ISTC submissions, the HC felt that the review would be best serviced by focusing efforts on producing the final report, not an interim publication.

Obesity: Health Services

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many primary care trusts  (a) have set up and  (b) are in the process of setting up weight management clinics;
	(2)  how many GP practices have established weight management services within their clinics.

Caroline Flint: There are 13 national health service operated obesity clinics for children and adults located across England. Information on the number of primary care trusts (PCTs) who are in the process of setting up weight management clinics and the number of general practitioners practices that have established weight management services within their clinics is not held centrally.
	It is up to PCTs as local commissioners and providers of services to determine the most appropriate methods to deliver health care to their populations, based on clinical need and effectiveness, as well as local circumstances, drawing on the available evidence.

Prisons: Drugs

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 15 March 2007, Official Report, column 552W, on Prisons: Drugs, over what time scale the funding announced on 28 September 2004 is planned to be spent.

Caroline Flint: In 2004 the Department announced funding for the clinical element of integrated drug treatment system (IDTS) of £20 million in 2006-07 rising to £40 million in 2007-08. This was reduced to £12 million in 2006-07 following the wider review of the Department spending. For 2007-08, Department's funding will rise to £12.7 million.
	Alongside this, the Home Office funded the psycho-social elements of IDTS, investing £5 million in 2006-07. This contribution is expected to rise to around £6 million for 2007-08.

Smoking

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what plans her Department has to publicise the change in the age at which tobacco can legally be purchased;
	(2)  what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on measures to ensure that the increase in the age for the legal purchase of tobacco is not accompanied by abuse, intimidation or violence as a result of refusal of sale; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: The change in the minimum age for selling tobacco from 16 to 18 will come into force on 1 October 2007. Communication plans are in development and the Department is in discussion with key stakeholders. The Department will focus on publicising the change in age to the two most affected groups: retailers and teenagers.
	The Department and Home office have discussed the issue at official level. It is not expected that the rise in the age of sale will result in serious intimidation or violence against shopkeepers. This has not been the experience in other countries for example like Ireland where the minimum age for tobacco sale has been changed recently. Trading Standards guidance for retailers will include advice on handling intimidation by customers refused sale because they cannot prove that they meet the minimum age.

Smoking

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many representations she has received on the implementation of the smoking ban in working men's clubs; and if she will make a statement.

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations she has received on the effect on the viability of working men's clubs of the introduction of the smoking ban.

Caroline Flint: Working men's clubs and other such clubs have been consulted at all stages of consideration of the Health Act and its implementation. We continue to work closely with organisations representing working men's clubs in the run up to the implementation of the smoke free provisions of the Health Act 2006 on 1 July 2007.

Smoking: Public Places

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps have been taken to inform owners of restaurants, hotels and public houses of the smoking ban which comes into place on 1 July.

Caroline Flint: Through the Smokefree England campaign, the Department is delivering a major communications campaign to support businesses to be prepared for the implementation of smokefree legislation on Sunday, 1 July 2007. Recent surveys by the Department show extremely high levels of awareness among the hospitality industry and customers.
	Information on the new law is available from the freephone Smokefree England information line on 0800 169 169 7 and on the Smokefree England website at www.smokefreeengland.co.uk. The website has received nearly 250,000 visits to date.
	The Department has developed a range of guides on the new law. A guidance pack, including a guide, no-smoking signs and other support materials is being sent to all businesses in England that employ staff during April. Guidance documents can be downloaded from the Smokefree England website, and will be available in a range of different languages and formats, including a downloadable MP3 audio version.
	A Ministerial Reference Group comprised of key stakeholders was created last year to facilitate dialogue between business groups including representatives from the hospitality industry, local government and the Department, and has met regularly. The Department also continues to work closely with organisations that represent the hospitality industry to increase awareness of the new legislation among their constituents.
	Local councils are also working to build compliance in their communities. Local businesses are advised to contact their local council for advice and support in implementing smokefree legislation.

York Capio Centre

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 25 January 2007,  Official Report, columns 2052-54W, on the York Capio Centre, why the Minister cannot release information about  (a) the number of procedures contracted and carried out for NHS patients at this centre and  (b) the relative cost to the primary care trust of purchasing procedures from this centre and York NHS Hospital Trust; and if she will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: The Clifton National Health Service Treatment Centre is expected to deliver approximately 10,000 procedures over the five year contract period. At the end of January 1,817 procedures had been delivered for NHS patients. Primary care trusts pay for the services provided at NHS tariff or at costs equivalent to the NHS costs for such services.

Asylum: Sudan

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers from Darfur  (a) applied for asylum and  (b) were returned to Sudan in each of the last four years.

Liam Byrne: This information is not available in the format requested. The Border and Immigration Agency does not electronically record the region from which asylum applicants originate; this information would be available only by examination of individual case files at disproportionate cost.
	Information on the nationality of asylum applications and removals are published quarterly and annually. Information on the number of asylum applicants removed from the UK, broken down by nationality, is produced regularly in the annual Asylum Bulletin. Copies of these publications are available from the Library of the House and from the Home Office Research, Development and Statistics website at:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html

Crime: Alcoholic Drinks

Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the impact of alcohol consumption on crime; and what data he collects on this.

Vernon Coaker: There are two main sources of information on alcohol-related crime: the British Crime Survey and the Offending, Crime and Justice Survey.
	The British Crime Survey (BCS) provides information on the proportion of violent incidents in England and Wales where the offender was thought to be under the influence of alcohol. According to the latest BCS (2005-06) the offender was thought to be under the influence of alcohol in 44 per cent. of violent incidents, which is approximately the same as the figure for the previous year (48 per cent.). The estimated number of violent incidents where the offender was thought to be under the influence of alcohol was 1,029,000 based on the BCS interviews in 2005-06.
	The Offending, Crime and Justice Survey (OCJS) asks questions about people's participation in alcohol-related crime and disorder. The 2005 OCJS found that being drunk once a month or more was a risk factor for offending among 10 to 25-year-olds. Further analysis of the 2003 survey revealed that, among 18 to 24-year-olds, those respondents identified as 'binge drinkers' (defined as those who drank alcohol and felt very drunk at least once a month in the last 12 months) were more likely to offend than other regular drinkers and non-drinkers. Young male binge drinkers were twice as likely to commit a violent offence than other young male regular drinkers. Binge drinkers were also more likely to commit criminal or disorderly behaviour (such as getting into a fight or damaging something) during or after drinking than other regular drinkers.
	The 2004 OCJS found that among those aged between 10 and 17 years old, those who drank once a week or more committed more offences than those who drank less frequently or not at all. Again, a higher proportion of those who drank alcohol once a week or more reported committing criminal damage and theft offences during or after drinking than those who drank less frequently.

Crimes of Violence

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much funding was allocated to tackling  (a) gun crime and  (b) knife crime in each round of funding from the Connected Fund programme since its introduction; and to which groups that funding was given.

Vernon Coaker: holding answer 16 April 2007
	 Since being established in May 2004, the Connected Fund has allocated approximately £1.2 million over five rounds, funding 300 projects in England and Wales. The projects funded focus on tackling gun crime, knife crime and gangs. Many of the projects cover a wide range of issues with the aim of helping young people at risk of becoming involved in violent crime, and it is not possible to identify an exact figure spent specifically on gun crime or knife crime from the fund.
	Full details of projects funded can be found on the Connected website:
	www.connected.gov.uk.

Domestic Violence

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many copies of the Domestic Violence: an MPs Guide  (a) leaflet and  (b) supplementary booklet were printed; what the cost was of each; and how they were distributed to hon. and right hon. Members.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The development of the guide came about as an action from the Inter-Ministerial Group on Domestic Violence. Its intention is to provide MPs with information on what they can do if they are approached by a constituent affected by domestic violence.
	We initially placed 23 mock-up copies of the guide in the Libraries of both Houses of Parliament on 6 March. A further 30 mock-up copies were distributed at an event attended by MPs on 6 March. We have printed a further 1,000 guides, 23 of which will replace the mock-up in both Libraries.
	To reach a wider audience and ensure greater distribution of this resource, PDF versions of both the leaflet and a supplementary booklet are available on the Home Office's Crime Reduction website. The supplementary booklet will not been printed.
	The cost of producing the leaflet and supplementary booklet was approximately £1,500. The production costs for 1,000 copies were £380.69, and the design service costs, based on 30 hours' work at £36.40 per hour, were £1,092.

Domestic Violence

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many and what percentage of incidences of domestic violence reported to each police force involved  (a) male and  (b) female victims in each of the last five years.

Gerry Sutcliffe: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 27 February 2007,  Official Report, column 1222W. This gave figures from the British Crime Survey for incidents of domestic violence in England and Wales. The British Crime Survey does not have these data at police force area level and so the information requested is not available.

Fines: EC Law

Greg Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps his Department has taken to implement the EU Council Framework Decision 2005/214/JHA on the application of the principle of mutual recognition to financial penalties.

Joan Ryan: We are working towards implementation of the Framework Decision but it is not yet possible to indicate when we will do so because primary legislation will be required for implementation in England and Wales.

Human Trafficking: Children

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which agency is responsible for the welfare of victims of child trafficking once they have been identified.

Vernon Coaker: holding answer 23 April 2007
	Local Authority Children's Services have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of all children including those that are thought to have been trafficked. Following an assessment of their circumstances and under section 20 of the Children Act 1989, a local authority has a duty to provide accommodation for any child within its area if it considers that the child is in need of care. Using the powers vested in them by the Children Act 1989 where there is a risk to the life of the child or a likelihood of serious harm, the local authority or police are required to act quickly to secure the immediate safety of the child.

Prisons: Tobacco

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the black market currency value of  (a) a single cigarette,  (b) a standard packet of twenty cigarettes and  (c) fifty grams of hand-rolling tobacco in each prison establishment where a total no smoking ban has been introduced; and if he will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: None. Strategies are in place to manage the security risks posed by contraband and other articles which can be used as currency in a prison setting. Discipline issues have been taken into account in drawing up arrangements to implement anti-smoking legislation in prisons.

Developing Countries: Health Professions

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what measures his Department has in place to assist developing countries in retaining their health workers.

Gareth Thomas: In last year's International White Paper, DFID committed to help developing countries solve their staffing crises by supporting training, providing staff incentives to work in underserved countries and increasing support for community health workers.
	In Malawi DFID has provided £100 million over six years to fund an innovative emergency human resource programme to support the training, recruitment and retention of health workers. This programme will double the number of Malawian nurses and treble the number of Malawian doctors.
	The UK has drawn up a code of conduct for the international recruitment of healthcare professionals. This actively prevents the NHS from recruiting health workers from low and middle-income countries unless there is a Government-Government agreement in place to manage the process.

Developing Countries: HIV Infection

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what work is being undertaken by his Department to assist developing countries in tackling mother to child transmission of HIV/AIDS.

Gareth Thomas: DFID is intensifying action on tackling mother to child transmission of HIV at country level. In Zimbabwe, DFID has initiated a £25 million project specifically to address maternal and newborn health and HIV. In Malawi, where DFID is the major donor in the health sector, with an investment of £100 million over the period 2004-10, a rapid scale up in preventing mother to child transmission (PMTCT) services is taking place. During 2005, 5,000 of 7,000 HIV positive pregnant women received a complete course of ARV prophylaxis. In Zambia, we support UNICEF's expansion of PMTCT.
	In 2006 DFID supported research in the Republic of Congo and Uganda which demonstrated that pregnant women with HIV are between four to five times more likely to die as a result of pregnancy and childbirth than non-infected women. DFID is tackling stigma and discrimination that prevents women accessing PMTCT by funding education and mass-media campaigns in Angola, Ethiopia, Malawi, Nigeria, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
	In addition to core funding to UNICEF, DFID has provided over $1.5 million to an 'Accelerating Action for Children Affected by HIV and AIDS' programme. This gives focus to the "4 P's—Protection, Prevention, PMTCT and Paediatric AIDS". DFID is also participating in a US led HIV and AIDS paediatric public-private partnership which seeks to develop formulations of HIV drugs suitable for children in developing countries together with the pharmaceutical industry.

HIV Infection: Drugs

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps his Department is taking to remove trade barriers that prevent the production and distribution of generic medicines for HIV/AIDS.

Gareth Thomas: We are working closely with our colleagues across Government to facilitate access to generic medicines.
	For World Trade Organisation (WTO) members, trade in medicines is governed by the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS). We are pleased that TRIPS has been permanently amended to allow for generic versions of patented medicines to be produced and exported under compulsory licence. EU producers are able to use this system, which was implemented by legislation agreed under the UK's presidency of the EU.
	DFID is working with a number of international organisations, including the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), to help developing countries to build capacity so that they are able to make use of the TRIPS flexibilities provisions related to the production and distribution of generic medicines, including those for HIV/AIDS.

World Bank

David Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will make a statement on the Government's position regarding Paul Wolfowitz's presidency of the World Bank.

Hilary Benn: At the spring meetings of the World Bank on 15 April, I and my fellow Governors agreed the following section of the Development Committee Communiqué, dealing with the allegations against President Wolfowitz:
	"We have to ensure that the Bank can effectively carry out its mandate and maintain its credibility and reputation, as well as the motivation of its staff. The current situation is of great concern to all of us. We endorse the board's actions in looking into this matter, and we asked it to complete its work. We expect the Bank to adhere to a high standard of internal governance."
	We expect the World Bank executive directors to meet again this week to discuss the next steps.

Football: World Cup

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on the inclusion of Northern Ireland in a bid to host the 2018 Football World Cup.

Maria Eagle: I have had no discussions with the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport as the Government study, published in February 2007, was to assess the feasibility of holding a future World Cup in England.

Further Education: Student Wastage

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the drop-out rates of each further and higher education institution in Northern Ireland were in each of the last three years; what assessment he has made of the impact of the payment of tuition fees on drop-out rates; and what funding has been allocated by his Department to reducing drop-out rates.

Maria Eagle: Non-continuation rates for each of the NI Further Education Institutions for the last three years are shown in the following table:
	
		
			  College  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06 
			 Armagh College 8 7 12 
			 Belfast Institute 14 17 20 
			 Castlereagh College 16 11 18 
			 Causeway Institute 24 23 20 
			 East Antrim Institute 7 9 15 
			 East Down Institute 8 11 17 
			 East Tyrone College 16 17 17 
			 Fermanagh College 10 12 12 
			 Limavady College 22 21 16 
			 Lisburn Institute 10 10 14 
			 Newry and Kilkeel Institute 10 9 12 
			 North Down and Ards Institute 8 12 18 
			 North East Institute 17 1 0, 12 
			 North West Institute 12 14 16 
			 Omagh College 7 10 15 
			 Upper Bann Institute 19 18 15 
			 Total 13 13 16 
			  Source:  FESR 
		
	
	The latest available data on non-continuation rates for full-time first degree entrants for each of the Higher Education Institutions is shown in the following table:
	
		
			  University  2001-02  2002-03  2003-04 
			 Queen's University, Belfast 6.6 6.9 8.1 
			 St. Mary's University College 4.0 6.8 6.4 
			 Stranmillis University College 2.4 1.9 3.9 
			 University of Ulster 12.6 12.8 14.7 
			 Total 6.4 7.1 8.3 
		
	
	No assessment has yet been made of the impact of the payment of (variable) tuition fees on drop out rates. It is likely that this has had minimal impact as students in the system prior to September 2006 are unaffected by the new arrangements. Furthermore, from AY 2006-07, a new student finance package has also been introduced to ensure that new entrants from lower income backgrounds are not disadvantaged by the new arrangements. A review of the new arrangements, including participation rates, is planned for 2008-09.
	Department for Employment and Learning allocates a total of £4.6 million annually to the Further Education Colleges and Higher Education Institutions in the form of Support Funds. These funds are specifically earmarked for the purpose of providing assistance for students who may be discouraged from participating in further or higher education due to financial hardship. These funds provide a greater safety net and help to reduce drop-out rates among students experiencing financial difficulties after starting their course.
	The Department also pays the universities a widening participation premium for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Funding of £1.25 million is provided to cover the costs incurred in recruiting and retaining students from disadvantaged backgrounds who are more likely to drop out.

Higher Education: Pay

Eddie McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made in resolving the pay dispute in higher education in Northern Ireland.

Maria Eagle: There is no pay dispute in higher education however the further education lecturers' pay claim was not recommended for approval by the Public Sector Pay Committee. College employers and lecturers' trade unions have now been asked to re-engage in order to prepare revised pay proposals, in line with pay policy guidelines. The Department will continue to liaise with the further education sector on the scope for devising amended pay proposals within the limits set by pay policy.

Olympic Games: Greater London

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on the implications of the increase in the estimated cost of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games for the allocation of funding to Lottery good causes in  (a) North Down and  (b) Northern Ireland.

Maria Eagle: The allocation and distribution of Lottery funds is a reserved matter with responsibility lying with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. The decision on the Lottery will be subject to Affirmative Resolutions in both Houses.

Paedophilia

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what meetings have taken place in 2007 between the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, the Police Service of Northern Ireland and senior representatives of the Roman Catholic Church about child sexual abuse; and what information about child sexual abuse was provided at these meetings in relation to  (a) each diocese fully within Northern Ireland and  (b) each diocese that straddles the border with the Republic of Ireland.

Paul Goggins: To date, there have been no joint meetings in 2007 between the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, the Police Service of Northern Ireland and senior representatives of the Roman Catholic Church about child sexual abuse.

Physical Education

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many hours of physical education per week were provided to school children in schools in each education and library board area in Northern Ireland in each of the last three years; and what steps he is taking to increase the time provided.

Maria Eagle: The Department does not collect the information requested. The Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) monitors the provision of PE, and other aspects of the curriculum, as part of routine inspection in schools. While the Department does not specify the amount of time schools should spend on any particular subject, schools are encouraged to provide at least two hours of physical activity per week. It is for schools to determine how much time is devoted to PE, which is a compulsory part of the revised curriculum for all pupils from Foundation to Key Stage 4.

Physical Education: Teachers

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many  (a) full-time and  (b) part-time physical education teachers there were in each education and library board area in Northern Ireland in each of the last six years.

Maria Eagle: The Department of Education does not hold this information. However I have been advised by the chief executives of the five Education and Library Boards (ELBs) and the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools (CCMS), who employ teachers that the South Eastern, Western and Belfast ELBs and CCMS do not hold this information and that staffing is a matter for individual boards of governors.
	The Southern Education and Library Board have advised that they hold current information only. They have 67 physical education teachers, 43 of whom teach on a full-time basis while the remaining 24 also teach other subjects.
	The North Eastern Education and Library Board have also advised that they hold current information only. They have 87 full-time and four part-time physical education teachers.

Public Libraries: Bangor

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made with the renovation work to Bangor library's Hamilton Road premises; how much the work was originally forecast to cost; whether the work is on budget and on schedule; when he expects the refurbished library to open; and if he will make a statement.

Maria Eagle: Work to refurbish and extend the Bangor library commenced on 2 April 2007 and is expected to take approximately 18 months to complete. The project has been approved at a cost of some £2.3 million and to date it is on budget and on schedule.

Public Libraries: Bangor

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made by his Department in identifying a suitable permanent facility for Bangor Library whilst renovation work is carried out at its Hamilton Road premises.

Maria Eagle: The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure is the sponsor department for the NI public library service but responsibility for delivering the service, including securing appropriate library accommodation for this area, rests with the South Eastern education and library board (SEELB).
	Since October 2006, the SEELB has been seeking to identify suitable alternative temporary premises and renovation work started during the week commencing 16 April 2007 on two units in the Flagship Shopping Centre to make them suitable for library use. Bangor library will open in these temporary premises by 21 May 2007 and will remain there until the completion of the new library in approximately 18 months. Until 21 May, a library service will be provided from a mobile library outside the Hamilton Road library.

Queen's University Belfast: Medicine

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many graduate students  (a) applied for and  (b) enrolled in medical degrees at Queen's University, Belfast in each of the last five years.

Paul Goggins: The number of graduate entrants students applying for and enrolled in the School of Medicine at Queen's University Belfast, is set out in the following table. The number of applicants in the period 2002-04 is not available.
	
		
			  Year of entry  Applicants  Entrants 
			 2002 n/a 11 
			 2003 n/a 5 
			 2004 n/a 10 
			 2005 68 15 
			 2006 75 13 
			  Source: QUB

Special Educational Needs

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many primary school children in Northern Ireland were given initial assessments by educational psychologists to determine special educational needs in each of the last five years, broken down by parliamentary constituency.

Maria Eagle: The number of primary school children who were given initial assessments by educational psychologists to determine special educational needs in each of the last five years is set out in the following tables. The figures refer to the first direct contact an educational psychologist had with a primary school pupil at any stage of the Code of Practice on the Identification and Assessment of Special Educational Needs. This information is not available by parliamentary constituency as education and library board (ELB) areas do not correspond to constituency areas. A response has therefore been provided by ELB area.
	
		
			   BELB( 1)  NEELB( 1)  SEELB( 1) 
			 2002 645 606 611 
			 2003 610 544 593 
			 2004 521 590 601 
			 2005 433 557 614 
			 2006 396 488 598 
			 (1) Calendar years 
		
	
	
		
			   SELB( 1)  WELB( 2) 
			 2001-02 571 688 
			 2002-03 668 760 
			 2003-04 724 756 
			 2004-05 810 656 
			 2005-06 596 772 
			 (1) Academic years (2 )Financial years

Specialist Schools

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many special schools have been built in Northern Ireland since 1986.

Maria Eagle: Since 1986 21 special schools have been built in Northern Ireland. In addition 11 special schools have had capital funding approved for the replacement of existing school buildings and these are either still in the planning stages or under construction.

Suicide

Eddie McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what service will be provided to other areas of Northern Ireland for suicide prevention during the extended pilot period for the Suicide Prevention Telephone Helpline Scheme.

Paul Goggins: In conjunction with the development of the telephone helpline pilot scheme, a substantial community support funding package has been rolled out to help communities with the development of initiatives that will help achieve a reduction in the levels of suicide and self-harm. Of the £1.9 million available to support the implementation the Suicide Prevention Strategy in 2006-07, approximately £900,000 was allocated as part of this package. A sizeable portion of this funding was invested in those groups/organisations that specifically target people who are at a high risk of suicide, and who provide support for families bereaved by suicide.
	In line with the increased funding of £3 million available for the implementation of the Strategy in financial year 2007-08, the Suicide Strategy Implementation Body recently recommended to the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety that the community support package funding should be doubled to £1.8 million. Allocations are currently under consideration.

Business: Ethics

Jonathan Djanogly: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  what plans his Department has to improve corporate social responsibility;
	(2)  what steps he plans to take forward the Government's corporate social responsibility strategy.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 20 April 2007
	The Government encourage high standards of corporate behaviour and as such supports the development and take up of corporate social responsibility. We do so by
	raising awareness and promoting best practice;
	setting decent minimum standards;
	providing an enabling policy environment;
	encouraging adherence to international standards of business behaviour.
	CSR is a cross Government agenda and the Government will continue to pursue this policy through:
	supporting relevant international standards and initiatives.
	For example, a tri-partite body of officials from DTI, DfID and FCO to promote the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, the UN Global Compact which brings companies together with UN agencies, trade unions and civil society.
	offering advice and guidance to business, for example, through Envirowise, WRAP and the Carbon Trust.
	raising awareness and promoting best practice, for example through support for the Business in the Community Annual Awards for Excellence and the CSR Academy.
	encouraging transparency for example through the Business Review requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

Business: Ethics

Jonathan Djanogly: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many organisations joined the Corporate Social Responsibility Academy in each calendar year since it was established.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 20 April 2007
	The CSR Academy was not a membership organisation. It was set up to improve the take up and development of the skills and competences for CSR practice through:
	the development and promotion of a framework of core skills needed to integrate CSR practices into organisations of any size.
	the Academy website which contained a Training and Development map that was used as a tool to signpost users to CSR training and development opportunities.
	 Between 2004 and 2006
	Over 5,000 companies registered to use the framework.
	Around 300 large companies and over 900 SMEs attended masterclasses and regional events.

Companies: Savings

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will take steps to ensure that money paid by employees into Christmas and holiday savings schemes administered by their employers is protected in the event that the company goes into administration.

Ian McCartney: As we have recently announced, the Christmas Savings Scheme industry (also known as the hamper industry) will be introducing safeguards for pre-payments made by customers through independently controlled, ring-fenced trust accounts. The trust accounts will be controlled by independent trustees, not by the companies, with money credited to customers in the event of the company going into insolvency.
	Employees taking part in Christmas savings schemes administered by employers who have signed up to these proposals will receive the same protection as any other customer. Although the scheme is voluntary, we would expect new players to this industry to comply with these standards.

Energy: Meters

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consultation he has undertaken with  (a) the Energy Retail Association,  (b) companies in the energy sector and  (c) manufacturers of energy metering devices on proposals to make smart meters available to every home.

Malcolm Wicks: Metering in both the domestic and business gas and electricity markets, including smart metering, was the subject of a recent public consultation as part of the Energy Review. The Department has also had further discussion with a range of interested parties, including the Energy Retail Association, energy suppliers and metering manufacturers. The Government will announce proposals on how to go forward on metering in the forthcoming Energy White paper.

Energy: Meters

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the total cost of installing smart meters in every home in the United Kingdom.

Malcolm Wicks: In 2006, the industry regulator, the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) estimated that the total cost of installing and maintaining one-way smart meters could be up to £5-8 billion. The Government will set out their views on metering, including smart meters, in the Energy White paper.

Equal Opportunities: EC Countries

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will bring forward proposals to ensure the equal treatment of workers across the European Union.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The European Union has agreed a number of measures for the equal treatment of workers across the EU. Proposing any further measures is a matter for the European Commission, having consulted with the European Social Partners. Such measures must be agreed by both the European Council of Ministers and the European Parliament.

Low Carbon Buildings Programme

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to increase funds for the Low Carbon Buildings Programme for  (a) households and  (b) (i) public, (ii) not for profit, and (iii) commercial organisations.

Malcolm Wicks: In October 2006, we reallocated funds from within the Low Carbon Buildings Programme to increase funds available to householders from £6.5 million to £12.7 million. In the Budget 2007, a further £6 million was made available for the household stream, taking the total available for householders to more than £18 million.
	In addition to this, £15.8 million has been made available for public, not for profit, and commercial organisations.
	The Low Carbon Buildings Programme Phase 2 has set aside £50 million for public and not for profit organisations.

Manufacturing Industries

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  what incentives his Department provides to businesses seeking industrial premises for manufacturing;
	(2)  what assistance his Department makes available to regional development agencies and local authorities to provide adequate land and accommodation for small business start-ups in the manufacturing sector;

Margaret Hodge: This Department, along with five other Government Departments, provides funding to the regional development agencies through the single pot funding mechanism. This allows the agencies to tailor their support according to regional needs as determined by their economic strategies. Some of this is spent on land and accommodation and some on small business start-ups.
	In addition, European funding is available to the English regions, including local authorities, through the European Regional Development Fund and this can be used to provide support to manufacturing.
	This Department does not provide any funding to local authorities.

Natural Gas: Planning Permission

Brian Binley: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to reduce the length of time taken to commission the construction of gas infrastructure projects following initial planning application prior to the implementation of the measures expected in the Planning White Paper.

Malcolm Wicks: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Preseli, Pembrokeshire (Mr. Crabb) on 26 February 2007,  Official Report, column 1057W.
	In addition, I should say that the time taken to commission gas infrastructure projects can be affected by a range of commercial or technical factors, or delays in the determination of planning applications. Commercial and technical issues are for developers themselves to resolve, although the DTI works to ensure that no unnecessary regulatory barriers to development delay the timely construction of facilities.
	In order to avoid any unnecessary delays in determining planning applications, the DTI has held information seminars, in conjunction with the Health and Safety Executive and British Geological Survey for local councillors and planning officers in relevant regions. They have covered the general context for such projects, as well as safety aspects and the factors that can influence the siting of developments.

Radioactive Wastes

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to consult on new radioactive waste arisings should the approval be given for new build of nuclear power plants.

Malcolm Wicks: The Department plans to launch a consultation in May on the future role of nuclear power. This will include consideration of a full range of issues around potential new build including the impact of new build on waste management and decommissioning.
	The Government plan to launch a further consultation in the summer as part of the Managing Radioactive Waste Safely programme, which will consider all the issues relevant to implementation of geological disposal. This consultation will discuss the potential changes to the current waste inventory that would arise as a result of any new build.

Small Business Service

Alan Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps the Small Business Service has taken to place more emphasis on cross-governmental working since the Government's Cross Cutting Review of Government Services for Small Business in 2002.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 22 January 2007
	The Small Business Service works across Government to support small businesses and encourage enterprise. Following the Cross-Cutting Review of Government Services for Small Business the Small Business Service:
	established senior-level cross-Whitehall officials' groups dealing with a range of priority areas e.g.: business support simplification, regulation, frontline and on-line small businesses services;
	identified Ministers to act as champions in every Government Department. So for instance, this month I have written to colleagues seeking their support in promoting November's Enterprise Week.

Telecommunications: Consumers

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  what steps Ofcom has taken since March 2005 to prevent telecommunications companies transferring customers from one provider to another without their knowledge;
	(2)  how many complaints about telecommunications companies transferring customers from one provider to another without their knowledge were received by Ofcom in 2006;
	(3)  what steps the Government is taking to prevent telecommunications companies from transferring customers from one provider to another without their knowledge.

Margaret Hodge: The matter raised is the responsibility of the independent regulator, the Office of Communications (Ofcom), which is accountable to Parliament rather than Ministers. Accordingly, I have asked the Chief Executive of Ofcom to reply directly to the hon. Member. Copies of the Chief Executive's letter will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

A358

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent assessment he has made of the impact of building at the site of the new A358 dualled northbound exit junction from the M5 on  (a) (i) the level of noise and (ii) the level of pollution experienced by local residents and  (b) local house prices.

Stephen Ladyman: A Stage 2 Environmental Assessment of the A303/A358 South Petherton to M5 Taunton improvement has been undertaken. This includes consideration of noise and air pollution impacts in the vicinity of the proposed northbound exit junction from the M5.
	 (a ) (i) A number of properties at Blackbrook are predicted to experience an increase in noise of between 1 and 2 dB(A). The average increase in noise levels at Blackbrook is predicted to be approximately 1 dB(A) which is not considered to be significant as it cannot be noticed by the human ear.
	 (a ) (ii) In the scheme opening year, assumed for assessment purposes to be 2017, all pollutant concentrations are predicted to be well below their respective air quality objectives and lower than the 2004 Base Year levels due to newer, less polluting vehicles on the roads and lower background pollution concentrations from road transport and energy generation.
	 (b) An assessment of the impact on house prices has not yet been undertaken.

A358

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the budget is for the new A358 dualled northbound exit junction from the M5, including the construction of a bridge; and what percentage of that budget has been allocated.

Stephen Ladyman: The Highways Agency is currently investigating options for the dualling of the A358 between the A303 and the M5 at Taunton. A budget has not been approved for the implementation of the scheme.
	The A358/A303 is designated as a route of regional importance and is therefore subject to the Regional Funding Allocation process.

Fares: Derbyshire

Mark Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received from  (a) Derbyshire county council and  (b) Derbyshire bus operators on the use of the toolkit to determine the cost of concessionary fare schemes; and if he will make a statement.

Gillian Merron: The toolkit is part of guidance issued by the Department to travel concession authorities to help them calculate concessionary fare reimbursement. It was put together following consultation with the Concessionary Fares Working Group, which consists of representatives from local authorities and the bus industry. Derbyshire county council was represented on the group.
	As of 23 April 2007, two bus operators have lodged appeals to the Secretary of State for Transport against the Derbyshire county-wide concessionary travel scheme for 2007-08, disputing the level of reimbursement offered by the authority. No representations have been received from Derbyshire county council. However, during the appeals process, the bus operators and the authority will be given opportunities to provide evidence and to respond to each other's submissions. Determinations of the appeals will be made in due course.

Invalid Vehicles

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he plans to publish his recommendations following the Review of Class Two and Class Three Powered Wheelchairs and Powered Scooters (invalid carriages) published in July 2005; and if he will make a statement.

Gillian Merron: This research, published by the Department in February 2006, looked at a range of issues, many of which are complex and require careful consideration. An announcement will be made later in the year on the way forward.

Pedicabs

Lee Scott: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment his Department has made of the safety and roadworthiness of pedicabs; and if he will make a statement.

Gillian Merron: The Department has not made any specific assessment of the safety and roadworthiness of pedicabs. However, as road vehicles, pedicabs must comply with road traffic law including road vehicle lighting regulations, and with the Highway Code.
	Bicycles and tricycles with a saddle height of not less than 635 millimetres and every cycle with four or more wheels must comply with the requirements of the Pedal Cycles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1983.

Road Traffic Offences: Foreigners

Greg Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what account his Department has taken of the enforcement of civil traffic penalties against foreign registered vehicles in  (a) plans for a national road user charging scheme and  (b) the forthcoming Road Transport Bill;
	(2)  what account has been taken within his Department's road pricing feasibility studies of the enforcement of civil penalties against the keepers of foreign registered vehicles.

Stephen Ladyman: No decisions have been taken on a national road pricing scheme. The 2004 feasibility study considered enforcement issues but not specifically in relation to foreign registered vehicles. The need to provide an effective civil enforcement system is being addressed by the Department and those local authorities developing local road pricing schemes. The first priority though is to design schemes that are as easy as possible to use and understand—and which will ensure high levels of compliance by domestic and foreign vehicles. We will be publishing a draft Bill for consultation later in the spring and will welcome a debate on its provisions then.

Rolling Stock

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how the additional 1,000 new railway carriages recently announced will be allocated to operating companies; and if he will make a statement.

Tom Harris: It is too early to say where precisely the additional rolling stock will be used. The deployment of new rolling stock will be agreed with the industry following the publication of the High Level Output Specification and the long term rail strategy this summer, in accordance with the Periodic Review timetable set out in the Office of Rail Regulation's advice to Ministers published in February 2007.

West Coast Mainline: Rolling Stock

Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many of the 1,000 new carriages that will come into use between 2009 and 2014 will be assigned to the West Coast Mainline.

Tom Harris: It is too early to say where precisely the additional rolling stock will be used. The deployment of the new rolling stock will be agreed with the industry following the publication of the High Level Output specification and the long term rail strategy this summer, in accordance with the Periodic Review timetable set out in the Office of Rail Regulation's advice to Ministers published in February 2007.

Benefit Fraud

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the savings to his Department from detected benefit fraud were in each year since 1997, broken down by benefit.

James Plaskitt: The information requested is not available by individual benefit and comparable information is only available since 1999-2000. The available information is set out in the following tables. The figures in the tables represent the amount of fraud actually detected by the Department's officials, and reflect the monetary value of adjustment (MVA).
	The MVA is the difference between the weekly amount of benefit that would have been paid or would have continued to be paid, and the benefit actually paid following the decision maker's decision on the information gathered. It includes both increases and decreases. The MVA scheme was introduced from 1 April 1999.
	 Instrument of Payment fraud
	Due to the increase in the number of customers who are paid by direct payment (around 98 per cent. of our customers are now paid in this way, compared to around 34 per cent. in 1999), there has been a very large reduction in the amount of Instrument of Payment fraud, as shown in the following table:
	
		
			   Instrument of Payment MVA (£) 
			 1999-2000 20,470,863 
			 2000-01 15,302,840 
			 2001-02 9,322,117 
			 2002-03 9,217,555 
			 2003-04 7,916,299 
			 2004-05 4,474,984 
			 2005-06 2,824,939 
		
	
	 General Matching Service
	DWP can data match information from across a number of sources, to check:
	Whether customers continue to be entitled for benefit; or
	That customers' benefit is being paid correctly.
	Data matching enables the Department to find inconsistencies in information and therefore identify where people are committing fraud (in addition to identifying customer and official error). For example, if someone was paying national insurance contributions on earned income at a time when their benefit claim showed that they had no earnings, clearly something is wrong.
	The MVA in respect of the Department's General Matching Service is as follows, and shows the increased success of various data matching exercises in detecting fraud:
	
		
			   General Matching Service MVA (£) 
			 1999-2000 951,885 
			 2000-01 1,034,865 
			 2001-02 1,340,080 
			 2002-03 1,672,893 
			 2003-04 1,577,042 
			 2004-05 1,056,966 
			 2005-06 1,324,906 
		
	
	 Other benefit fraud
	Benefit fraud MVA not including MVA from Instrument of Payment fraud and General Matching Service fraud is as shown in the following table.
	
		
			   Benefit fraud MVA (£) 
			 1999-2000 6,561,497 
			 2000-01 5,771,922 
			 2001-02 5,720,786 
			 2002-03 5,167,365 
			 2003-04 5,095,564 
			 2004-05 5,190,263 
			 2005-06 5,104,595

Community Care Grants

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many applications for community care grants have taken  (a) under one week,  (b) between one and two weeks,  (c) between two and three weeks,  (d) between four and five weeks and  (e) over five weeks to process since January 2006;
	(2)  how many applications for Budgeting Loans have taken  (a) under one week,  (b) between one and two weeks,  (c) between two and three weeks,  (d) between four and five weeks and  (e) over five weeks to process since January 2006.

Jim Murphy: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus, Lesley Strathie. I have asked her to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Lesley Strathie, dated 24 April 2007:
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your questions asking how many applications for Community Care Grants and Budgeting Loans have taken  (a) under one week,  (b) between one and two weeks,  (c) between two and three weeks,  (d) between four and five weeks, and  (e) over five weeks to process since January 2006. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	The clearance time for an individual application is measured in whole working days from the date the application is received to the date the decision is taken (on whether to make a Community Care Grant award or a Budgeting Loan offer), plus, if a Budgeting Loan offer is made, the number of whole working days between receiving the applicant's reply to the offer and the recording of that reply.
	The information requested is in the table.
	
		
			  Number of applications cleared from January 2006 to January 2007 inclusive in Great Britain 
			  Working days to clear  Community care grants  Budgeting loans 
			 Less than 5 184,200 1,449,300 
			 5 to 10 inclusive 257,200 311,300 
			 11 to 15 inclusive 106,500 47,600 
			 16 to 20 inclusive 49,200 10,000 
			 21 to 25 inclusive 20,500 2,400 
			 More than 25 21,400 2,900 
			  Source:  DWP Social Fund Policy, Budget and Management Information System. 
		
	
	I hope this is helpful.

Disability Living Allowance

Charles Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when the forms issued by his Department for disability living allowance claims were last amended; and what the reasons were for these amendments.

Anne McGuire: The administration of disability living allowance is a matter for the chief executive of the Disability and Carers Service, Mr. Terry Moran. He will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Terry Moran, dated 24 April 2007:
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when the forms issued by his Department for disability living allowance claims were last amended; and what the reasons were for these amendments.
	The Minister for Disabled People, Anne McGuire MP, promised you a substantive reply from the Chief Executive of the Disability and Carers Service. The Disability Living Allowance claim forms, DLA1 Child, DLA1A Child, DLA434 Child, DLA434 Adult, DLA300, were last amended in February 2007. They were available with effect from 19 February 2007.
	The amendments were made as part of the ongoing maintenance of claim forms. The changes involved were relatively minor and included asking for the nationality of the parent/guardian; updating the Inland Revenue website address; leaflet titles and the method of payment wording; adding the opening times for "Contact a Family"; a statement to make it clear that GPs are not part of the decision making process; and improving the information to customers claiming under special rules and for customers in hospital or other accommodation. This list is not exhaustive.
	Additionally the DLA1 Adult and the DLA1A Adult claim forms were last amended in December 2005 when the civil partnership came into force. There was a minor update to these forms in June 2006 to clarify the information for customers who are claiming under the special rules.
	The DLA Adult claim forms have been given a new look and will be introduced at the end of April 2007. These new look claim forms have received a Crystal Mark.
	I hope this is helpful.

Incapacity Benefit

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his assessment is of the principal causes of the trend in the real value of total public spending on incapacity benefits since 1995-96; and if he will make a statement.

Anne McGuire: Real terms expenditure on working age incapacity benefits has fallen by around 10 per cent. since 1995-96.
	A key reason for the decline in expenditure over this period is the continued reduction (since April 1995) in the number of claimants who receive protected and higher amounts of contributory invalidity benefit, the predecessor to incapacity benefit. This is an ongoing and gradual process, occurring as people have flowed off the benefit, for example through retirement.
	In 1995-96, 85 per cent. of expenditure on incapacity benefits was on the protected ex-invalidity benefit. This proportion had fallen to around 50 per cent. in 2001-02 and was around a third in 2005-06.

Jobseekers Allowance: Lone Parents

Natascha Engel: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the cost would be of implementing the jobseeker's allowance regime for all lone parents whose youngest child is aged 12 and over.

Jim Murphy: The total estimated cost of implementing a jobseeker's allowance (JSA) regime for lone parents with children aged 12 and over is between £6 million and £10 million. The final figure would be dependent on whether lone parents leave JSA at the same speed as current female JSA claimants, current IS lone parent claimants, or somewhere in between.

Welfare State

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent representations he has received on the conclusions of the Freud Report on the welfare systems in  (a) Australia,  (b) New Zealand,  (c) the US and  (d) the rest of the world.

Jim Murphy: No representations have been received on David Freud's conclusions about the welfare systems of these countries or the rest of the world. The Government will be responding to David Freud's review in the summer, and will invite people to make representations as part of that process.